Aerospace Engineering Degree in Erie, PA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aerospace Engineering degree analysis for Erie, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$96K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$138K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.8 yrs
in Erie
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Aerospace Engineering in Erie, PA Overview
While Erie has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Aerospace Engineering students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $21,896/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Aerospace Engineering has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Aerodynamics and Propulsion skills. The adjusted starting salary in Erie is approximately $96,000.
Category
Engineering
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$15,346/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$21,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,237/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
63%
Aerospace Engineering Salary in Erie (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Erie's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aerospace Engineering salary: $80,000 starting, $115,000 mid-career, $145,000 senior level.Erie adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Aerospace Engineering ROI Calculator for Erie
Estimate your return on investment for a Aerospace Engineering degree using local Erie tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,346 | Private avg: $35,160
Erie avg aid: $15,237/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$148,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$54,000
vs HS diploma in Erie
ROI Payback Period
2.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Erie
$1,027,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,176,000) minus total education cost ($148,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Aerospace Engineering in Erie
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Erie for Aerospace Engineering
Gannon University
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Penn State Behrend
public
$15,346/yr
$61,384 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Erie Community College
$5,070/yr
Top Employers for Aerospace Engineering in Erie
Erie offers opportunities in Engineering firms, Manufacturing, Defense contractors for Aerospace Engineering graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Erie Hiring Sectors for Engineering
Engineering firms
Manufacturing
Defense contractors
Energy companies
Construction firms
Common Aerospace Engineering Job Titles
Aerospace Engineering in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities
Philadelphia, PA
$120K starting · COL 150
42 colleges
Pittsburgh, PA
$92K starting · COL 115
12 colleges
Allentown, PA
$90K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Reading, PA
$94K starting · COL 118
3 colleges
Upper Darby, PA
$76K starting · COL 94.5
4 colleges
Scranton, PA
$96K starting · COL 120
8 colleges
Bethlehem, PA
$100K starting · COL 125
7 colleges
Lower Merion, PA
$73K starting · COL 91.4
3 colleges
Other Engineering Majors in Erie
Petroleum Engineering
$60K starting · 2.5 yr ROI
Computer Engineering
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Chemical Engineering
$98K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Nuclear Engineering
$60K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Electrical Engineering
$96K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Mechanical Engineering
$94K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Mining Engineering
$60K starting · 3 yr ROI
Materials Science & Engineering
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Aerospace Engineering Degree in Erie — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Aerospace Engineering ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Erie.